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TechnoratiNo Slave to the Racism of Others
Race -- specifically the race of Senator Barack Obama -- has been a subtext of this Presidential election cycle from the beginning. At first, we were unsure if Obama was "black enough" due to his mixed race family, having a white mother from Kansas and a non-African American father from Kenya. Then we heard "Barack the Magic Negro" and allegations of Michelle Obama calling someone "Whitey." We heard that Obama's candidacy is a conscious act of affirmative action by millions of disconnected voters all over the country. We heard that Obama's pastor is a racist and that reverse racism is the real issue in this campaign.
All this underscores a true insecurity in this country about race and the relations between white and black communities. If race were no issue, a black man would run for president, submit his policy positions and promises, and be elected or rejected. Instead all news, all statements, are now pouring through the filter of race before entering the mainstream of democracy.
But the saddest parts of this situation are the instances of blatant racism that have emerged in our own communities that have gone unchallenged. Posters we have seen with our own eyes, racial slurs spoken about Obama we have heard with our own ears, false accusations have been allowed to stand unchallenged by those that know the truth.
Last summer, I remember talking with a professor of mine who said that Obama would never get elected because America was not ready for a black leader. He said the campaign of a black man would bring out the worst in the racist white supremacists and nationalists in this country. The reality of a black candidate would bring race to the fore and force us to confront it. I said I was ready for that. I said I want to see clearly who stands in that camp so we know who to approach with the light of truth.
My first personal contact with this blatant racism came yesterday upon hearing about a particular clothing designer on Manhattan's Lower East Side who sells t-shirts that read, "Obama is my Slave." The designer, Doron Braunshtein aka Apollo Braun, has also made shirts that read "Obama= Hitler" and "Who Killed Obama?" If this is an attempt to shock and to gain publicity, it has served the designer's goal through numerous blog posts and news articles, many written in a tone of outrage. The "Obama is My Slave" t-shirt had gained publicity after it was reported that a woman wearing the t-shirt had been assaulted by a group of black teenage girls at Union Square.
After reading the news and blog accounts, I went down to this man's shop to confirm the story. I did not go as a journalist. I went as a concerned citizen that wanted some answers. I walked through the main entrance where an "Obama is my Slave" t-shirt was proudly displayed and asked him if the story was true. Did a woman really get assaulted at Union Square for wearing his "Obama is My Slave" t-shirt? Yes, unfortunately it was true, he said. The two women customers in the shop cooed with sympathy for the poor t-shirt designer. I asked him if he understood why someone would react that way. He says it doesn't matter because "this is America." I ask him if there is no responsibility attached to the freedom of speech and he gives me the same spiel. I then tell him I think his shirt is disgusting and he should be ashamed of himself. That was my freedom of speech on display. The women looked shocked.
That's when he boots me out of his store. He points to the camera and says I need to watch myself, and that I should never show my face again in his store. I just say I'm not here to do anything but register my protest, and tell him that there are plenty of other people that are going to do exactly the same.
I didn't fight with him and, in fact, the conversation was rather civilized. But the fact is clear that his stated dedication to the first amendment does not include the inside of his shop.
The designer has been accused of the high crime of irony in designing this particular t-shirt and selling it for $69. Ahh, the irony of a young, white child of privilege stating his independence from the racism of the past by wearing a shirt that boldly puts that aspirational black man in his place ;). Oh how funny the wearer's progressive friends will find a shirt that is so backwards.
The true irony of the situation is that as I left his shop I saw a poster promoting hip-hop artist Nas's new album. The cover art shows Nas with back turned, showing the scars of a slave master's whip. Not twenty feet away from this cowardly shop is a clear sign to all those would-be purchasers of racist garb: We have not forgotten.
Racial issues are not "over." They are not resolved. Those "scars" still remain in the minds of every black person that's ever been discriminated against, feared unjustly, or torn down to dirt with racial slurs. To act as if they don't exist is to not know the pain of injustice.
But we have to go further. To allow blatant racism to continue unquestioned, under the guise of free speech, is unacceptable. To act with complacency is to act with complicity. Never let your freedom to tell racists that they are hurting our country go to waste. Stand up to these displays of gall and say no, not in my community. Race is still an issue and no level of ignorance and inaction on the part of the unaffected will improve the lives of the victims of hate.
You can personally express your desire to see these t-shirts removed from Braun's store at 193 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002. You may also call him at 212-726-8075. His hours of operation are 12PM to 10PM, seven days a week. He'll most likely be there in person selling his wares.
Zachary Pickens is the Youth and Interactive Media Editor at MediaChannel.org. You can contact him at zacharypickens@gmail.com
28 Comments so far
Show AllRacism is a vastly overrated problem? I wish you were right. The truth is it will be THE US problem for generations to come.
Thank you for posting your well-written comments MiMiCcS and Thomas More! Have you read the book, "White Guilt: How Blacks and Whites Together Destroyed the Promise of the Civil Rights Era" by Shelby Steele? Excellent analysis of "race" in the US of A.
Racism in America weither you like it or not is secedeing rapidly and right now is vastly over rated as a problem.
If Obama loses there will be many that say he lost because of racism, but that won't be the truth, it will be because he was not good enough or he himself was a racist.
As MiMiCcS July 21st, 2008 2:26 am pointed out, many people have been not been treated well, but they have all overcome it. Is there racism? Sure. Is it a lot? Sometimes and some places. But overall racism at this point is simply a political tool used by business, racist organizations, politicians and racists like Jachson, Wright etc to make money and retain control.
Recycle1 July 21st, 2008 10:01 am
And you are lucky to live in America where both are allowed.
Would you consider the possibility that responding to these types of things help them? Think of all the cartoons and T-shirts of GWB...you can't remember a one because he laughed them off.
Nfamous, Concise, comprehensive history of the USA since 1800. Thank you.
If we are to exercise our right to free speech, then we have to accept the consequences of free speech. Wear/sell an "Obama is my Slave" tee, that's your "right", but it's also my right to vehemently disagree with you, out loud and to your face.
Nanoo-Obama's mother passed away some years ago which should explain her absence in his campaign.
Obama is half white but because he has dark skin he is referred to as a black candidate. I guess I'm wondering why Obama has not appeared with his mother. We've seen H. Clinton's mother and McCain's mother supporting their children but not Obama's.
Isn't it convenient to forget how Obama played the race card against the Clintons over and over and over and over, with no more justification than Bill saying Jesse Jackson won the South Carolina primary?
People need a sense of humour. "Obamas my slave" is funny, if worn by blacks. I mean, he is half white, half black, maybe it's the white half thats the slave. LOL. I doubt there are many white boys walking around NY in that shirt, or passing through TSA security checkpoints.
One of the main problems I see, and it is very apparent when you read Obamas book Dreams From My Father, is that black leaders exploit the treatment of blacks in American history, especially the slavery part. They blame most of the poverty of blacks on people they call "whitey" and preach black nationalism. This is counterproductive, but an effective tool for black leadership like Jackson and Farrakan who make a decent living on polarization. Now, I might feel the same way based on the consensus history as taught to most of us if I were black. And whites are taught to feel guilty, and most do, despite never having owned a slave and being treated as the worst kind of slave, a debt slave.
But when you think about it, slavery has been around for many thousands of years. Recently I read a book The Slave Trade by Hugh Thomas. A couple of facts from the book.
A total of 11,328,000 slaves were delivered to the Americas. Five hundred thousand to British North America, and some to the US after we broke free from the British.
In 1770, 22% of the population in the 13 colonies were slaves, and 80% were born in America. Most of the slaves sent to the US were brought while we were under British rule. We had 500,000 in 1790, but most were 2nd and 3rd generation. Keep in mind, the US did not include all of North America, there were large numbers of slaves in Spanish and French controlled territories that were not part of the US at the time and which were later absorbed as we expanded.
After the war was over, several states abolished the slave trade and freed the slaves, and others had laws that phased it out over a period of years. By 1786, only Georgia allowed slaves to be legally imported (ironically it was one of the last colonies to allow slavery in 1750). Rhode Island abolished slavery but still allowed it's merchants to trade in slaves elsewhere.
By 1825, slaves in the US numbered about 1/3 of all slaves in the Americas. This was due to American expansion and inheriting slaves in areas formerly under Spanish of French control, as well as population growth. Unlike many territories, the colonists and Americans treated the slaves well (in general, exceptions notwithstanding), not out of compassion so much, but they recognized slaves as capital goods having value, and allowing them to breed and keeping them healthy made more sense than buying new slaves and importing them.
Now many say that because we still allowed slave ownership after taking over from the British, we are equally guilty. It is true that the constitution in 1787 prevented Congress from taking action until 1807, a delay of 20 years, preferring the states take a lead. Keep in mind this was a young country, with a Federal Government that was not very well organized, and not very powerful to enforce any laws. It did however make the slave trade to foreign ports illegal, and many of the Rhode island merchants who continued, did so illegally. The US in its early days was not very law abiding society.
In 1807, Congress made it illegal to import slaves into the US starting from 1808, and made it illegal for any citizen to invest in the trade elsewhere. The handling of freed slaves which were illegally imported was left to the states.
Slaves accounted for 3/4 of West Africas exports in 1807. Africans were exporting their own people for profit. The abolition of the slave trade by Britain and the US hit them hard economically. Muslims considered the Christian behaviour was an attack on Islam. There were in fact more African slaves in Africa than in the Americas. Slaves used to be sacrificed upon the death of an African king. In fact, white men were taken as slaves in Northern Africa, sold by pirates, but in much fewer numbers of course. That was African culure then. Not much better than American culture.
By 1825, slaves in the US numbered 1/3 of all slaves in the Americas, despite the small number the US and the British colonies brought over from Africa. This was due to our expansion in taking over Spanish and French territories and population growth of blacks at higher rates than other areas of the Americas.
Of course, illegal trade continued due to lax enforcement, and Lincoln was the first President to enforce it, since he did not have to worry about starting a Civil War, it started for other reasons. Lincoln used the "War on Slavery" in the Civil War as a tool to get Americans in the North behind the war, which was due to economics and trade policies (which unfairly favoured the Northern bankers and traders) and the British/French attempt to divide and rule the US by siding with the south (Russia saved our bacon, and both Lincoln and the Czar were killed).
Now, the KKK and treatment of the blacks after the Civil War was not good, no question. The KKK was organized by British loyaltists in the South angered at their loss and who sought to keep America weak, and also in part to intolerance that was prevalent in the 19th century globally. Our country expanded as a result of our Manifest Destiny for crying out loud. Many people in America have been treated poorly in our history, Irish- Italians-Chinese -Japanese-Jews-Catholics-Muslims- Native Americans- Mexicans.
America was not a kind country to those who were not well off or different, and is not much better today. The main difference is the elite see all of those below them as black, or in their terminology, they see us all as beasts. The beasts that make good slaves will get to stick around.
This old Indian has seen your Nation's leaders from Eisenhower until the present. I would agree with Nfamous that human beings are the only species upon the earth that purposedly destroy themselves.
The probable odds are the human race will destroy themselves either through their weapons or through the destruction of nature. This does not mean total destruction, but billions dying one way or the other eventually.
The planet orbits. Somewhere a cash registers ring as products go beep beep across the scanner upon a planet located somewhere in a rather large vast universe.
EZE: How about "I'll rapture you right on up!"
NFAMOUS/WC DEVINS: Right on about the strategic uses of divide TO conquer, and/or "give 'em crumbs." It's OLD strategy, amazing that it still works!
As for T-shirts, what about the kid who was arrested for the "Bongs for Jesus" shirt. At least he had a sense of humor. Wasn't someone else led out of a shopping mall for some peace sign type T-shirt, or end to war?
I once stopped into something like a Pancake House when my daughters were younger and with me. A teenage boy walked in with his Mother and had on a black T-shirt. On it was the image of a young girl sitting on the floor, with her panties down, giving the impression she had just been RAPED. It was the "ad" for some rock group!
I went right up to this kid with his mother standing there and said, "I am offended by your T-shirt." His mother looked at me like what planet was I from. Misogyny is just as vile and sometimes more violent than racism, and I did NOT appreciate a T shirt broadcasting that "value" to my daughters. Yeah. Free speech, etc but there IS also hate speech, and in my mind THAT qualified! The Obama thing is borderline... it does seem to applaud the era of slavery.
Just like in Bob Dylan's "Only a Pawn in their Game" - still relevant after 40 years. The power elite needs more votes than it has to promulgate its agenda, so it hints to poor whites that colored people (pick your shade - it changes with the times) are responsible for all their woes. Low wages, job losses, poverty, crime, lack of health care are all blamed on the "colored" to distract the masses from their real killers - the power elite. Then they wink, wave the flags (USA and CSA), and seal the deal. Southern strategy in a nutshell. Conservatives are wrong on everything, yet those most adversely affected by their policies continue to vote them into office.
As for this article, I can't get worked up about a T-shirt; I don't even get it - "Obama's My Slave"? Is that for Obama supporters? If a wall street lobbyist wears it is it true? "Obama = Hitler" is a political statement, even if "Bush = Hitler" is far more accurate. And "Who Killed Obama" seems like a poor shout out to an old TV show glorifying the power elite of Texas, ironically the idiots now running the country. None of this seems really racist to me - it's another tempest in a teapot like the New Yorker cover. Are we all getting like the Muslim extremists who kill over cartoons? I'd prefer to have my racists advertise themselves by wearing stupid T-Shirts, anyway. We've got bigger problems than vapid T-shirts; let's focus.
"Gandhi brought the British Empire to it's knees by spinning cloth and making salt." If we don't buy, they can't sell.
This is largely a myth. India also had an armed resistance movement, and lots of other movements of resistance too.
nfamous,
Good summary of the situation.
While there is plenty of old-fashioned bigotry still around, Racism, is first and foremost, not an individual trait, but a hard-wired institution in of our society.
The example I always give a typical US suburban neighborhood where not a single member of a particular neighborhood holds outwardly bigoted views, but if black start moving into their neighborhood, the market price of the houses will decline - and there is nothing the homeowners can do about it.
Racism is how the elite control the white masses. They know that the white masses do not want to share power with nonwhites because they are used to white privilege and supremacy being the rule. Many whites are angry at the elite for turning their backs on them in pursuit of green while neglecting white but the white masses have no access to the elite and no means to redress their grievances. So what do they do? They blame all the nonwhites they can find for all of their problems. This creates the division needed to keep us all distracted while the elite continue to make off with our money and our lives. It will not abate. This will be the end of all of us. Humans are the only species on the planet that purposefully destroy themselves and Mother Nature has had her fill of us and white obsession with skin color.
physicscitizen,
I agree. I don't know who said it first, but silence is consent.
And there are no "degrees of racism" which make it more or less acceptable.
I've heard this racism too. Usually from people of my parents generation (60 and older).
One of my friend's parents made some comment to him about "surely you can't POSSIBLY vote for THAT man!" (meaning Obama)
To which my friend pointed out that McCain sang the "bomb bomb bomb Iran" song and clearly expects to involve us in our third war. He threw up in their faces their previous complaints about gas prices and asked them how they would like $10.00 a gallon gassoline and how they, on their retirement, expect to pay a heating bill that is 5 times more expensive.
I'm not sure he convinced them. But he shut them up and I am very proud of him for standing up to their racism as he did.
I think that's what it takes. Each of us, EVERY time we hear it, doing something about it.
Do NOT let it pass unchallenged!
Good point. Some people just like to hear themselves talk, some like to try to shock other people.
Some people will never be ready for a black president. They are the same ones who weren't ready for slavery or Jim Crow to end or for integrated drinking fountains.
Jesus said the poor would always be with us. So will the stupid.
"In a close election - these folks may make the difference."
I don't believe this is a close election. Do you really believe that after eight years of Bush, the parties are still as evenly divided as back in 2000? The constant 50/50 split in US elections reminds me of when Saddam got 100% of the vote. Have we so quickly forgotten the piles of evidence that both the 2000 and 2004 elections were rigged?
Everyone CAN learn. Far too many people choose not to learn and even take pride in their ignorance.
Racism is an American family value.
I am flabbergasted that anyone over 30 in the U.S. is surprised at the T-shirt vendor's attitude.
In the past 2 weeks, I've encountered at least 10 people who have lectured me on the miscegenation of our country by the 'brown' peoples and who sincerely believe Obama is a Muslim and the Muslims want to take over the US and kill all the Jews and Christians.
And I live in a supposedly liberal, educated area - San Francisco bay Area.
But above all, they will never, never vote for a black and if anyone they do business with displays Obama or shows any inkling of Obama support, they will permanently boycott them.
This is the same attitude I encountered during the '60s.
Why is anyone surprised this attitude is still here. In a close election - these folks may make the difference.
Especially with Obama losing the legft by moving to the center.
I'm sure not sure the country is ready, either.
Some of my close friends believe the Democrats shot themselves in both feet by forcing a choice between Clinton and Obama - 2 very marginally, possibly unelectable candidates.
"Having to not live a life of daily nicks and cuts, I certainly don't have the right to determine what is minor racism or significant racism."
Yes you do. You have a mind. You have the right to use it. To comment only on your own experience will make you a narrow-minded idiot.
Which is more significant? Getting called a "nigger" by racists vs. getting lynched by racists. Yet you say you don't have the right to judge. Perhaps you are too intimidated to comment.
Personally, I don't care if some idiot buys this shirt, they would be a racist with or without the shirt. The shirt is a petty issue. I can even imagine some "Obama girl" types buying the shirt, thus giving it a wholly different connotation.
I think doing things about the "fringe racism" as zzz said is vital to affecting racist thinking in the US. Having to not live a life of daily nicks and cuts, I certainly don't have the right to determine what is minor racism or significant racism. So when shown an opportunity to make a point, I take it. (And there is the added benefit that he's a capitalist and this might affect his bottom line a bit.) Thanks to Mr. Pickens sharing his address, it will be easy to send off a letter. I'm planning on enclosing an article or two about racism. I don't ever want to assume someone can't learn.
I doubt many people have bought that shirt. Instead of focusing on fringe racism like that, how about focusing on the more numerous racists who will vote for Obama simply BECAUSE he's (at least partially) black.
And for someone as wealthy and ostentatious as Nas to sell albums by depicting himself as a slave is an insult to the legacy of slavery. Also, if he understands the history of slavery so well, why is he such an obnoxious Christian?
Many people here understand what you are saying. It is because we understand that we have a responsibility to do something.
Maybe we should stop doing some things. Gandhi brought the British Empire to it's knees by spinning cloth and making salt. If we don't buy, they can't sell.
How about these?:
Bush the anti-Christ
Jesus was a liberal
Bomb McCain, POTUS in Pampers?
America is not Israel.
Get Raptured. Vote Republican.
USA Inc.
Work hard, pay your taxes so the rich won't have to.
I called. I got a machine encouraging me to spread love and be kind to others. I left a message pointing out my difficulty reconciling the answering machine message and the tee shirt.
I'm writing this in the south. The shirt is in Manhattan. It makes no difference. This is no subject for joking anywhere in this country. The wounds are still fresh; somewhere right now the wounds are still being inflicted and suffered.